Chapter 32
THEA
My stomach is doing loops in anticipation for my date with Eli tonight.
I didn’t feel so nervous with Ben, but it’s probably because we just stayed in.
He hasn’t told me what we’re doing, just to dress casual.
Wearing jeans and a knit sweater with some ankle boots is as casual as I can be without being in full-on sweatpants.
A knock sounds at the door, sending my heart racing.
Opening the door, Eli’s smile widen as he looks at me, triggering one of my own.
I swear he has powers, because how else is his energy so contagious?
He helps me forget the deep abyss I’m usually lost in.
He has a semi long coat over his outfit, his hair looks like it’s been cut since I saw him a couple days ago at pack dinner.
The tight curls on top are a little shorter and the fade on the sides are fresh.
The stubble beard he has accentuates his jaw nicely.
His smile grows bigger as he notices me checking him out.
Blushing, I quickly grab my jacket and head to the car.
I hear a small chuckle sound from behind me but I ignore it.
The car is nice and warm. Thank Gods for heated seats. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Nope,” he says, popping the ‘p.’ “But we do have about a forty-five minute drive so I will this one time give you control of the aux.” He says it so seriously, making me laugh a little.
“I’m honored.”
“You should be, I’ve never let any of the guys have that power when I drive,” he says with a slight smile.
Now I’m not sure what to put on, I like a little bit of everything but part of me wants to mess with him and pick something he’d probably never listen to—a musical.
But which one? Deciding on one, I pull it up on my phone and begin the first song.
The musical beings playing throughout the car and he frowns at first before what seems like a lightbulb goes off in his head.
He laughs. “I think your evil plan backfired. It’ll surprise you to know I was in theater in high school.”
To say I’m surprised is an understatement.
His eyes quickly look at me before returning to the road and now he’s full on laughing at my reaction.
“I wasn’t on stage, unfortunately. My personality is just too big for it,” he says though I can tell he’s joking.
“I was a stagehand, helping with the sets and making sure things run smoothly. So picking a musical is right up my alley; though I haven’t heard this one before. What is it?”
“EPIC the musical, it’s a musical of Homer’s Odyssey.”
He hums more to himself. “Sounds good so far, now we have to listen to the entire thing. I can’t be left on a cliffhanger. Make sure to put it on for the ride back.” Shaking my head with a smile, I relax further into the seat as we listen to the musical.
It’s not long until we’re pulling into a parking lot.
At one point I started singing along but lowly, but Eli, of course, heard me and egged me on to really sing with the songs as loud as I could.
I didn’t go that far; I don’t want to blow out his ear drums with my horrible singing.
But I did sing louder and it was really fun, Eli was trying to guess at the words so he could sing along but pretty much just vibed with it while he drove.
As he turns the car off and I stop the music, he asks, “So I don’t really remember the story but it’s basically his journey to get home to his wife and son, right?”
“Yeah, he was gone for the war for ten years and it takes another ten for him to get back. Twenty years apart and their love still drives them to be together again.”
“It’s a powerful statement. Rare to find that kind of connection.” He looks at me more intently. The double meaning isn’t lost on me. I was so lost in enjoying the drive I didn’t notice where we pulled into. Looking around, I take in the building and its sign. Hometown Lanes.
“Bowling?”
“Yup, it’ll be fun,” he says as he gets out of the car.
I haven’t been bowling since I was in high school.
It’s one of the few things you can do as teenagers, especially with a group of people.
Eli walks around the car to my side and takes my hand before we start heading towards the building.
He looks back suddenly, as if checking that I was okay.
I just squeeze his hand in reassurance. I swear that has become my signal to most of them that everything is alright.
He smiles but this time it’s a softer one; I want to see that one more often.
We enter the bowling alley and my eyes sweep around the room.
It’s a typical setup with the lanes and a food area in the back, and what looks like a small arcade down a short hall near the check-in.
I guess being up here in the mountains there wouldn’t be much to do especially during the off season.
After we get our shoes, we both take in the lanes.
It’s a Sunday but it’s still busy here. Almost all the lanes are full except two, which Eli leads us towards them.
Once we have our lane, I leave my shoes on the seat and go to pick out a ball. Eli follows not long after.
I really don’t know anything about bowling other than the basics, so I just pick the prettiest ball that I think I can actually throw. Grabbing a purple one that seems about right, I head back. When Eli returns with his ball, he asks, “Did you want to get food before we start?”
Not feeling hungry right now, I reply with, “No, let’s play one round then get some.”
Nodding in agreement, he goes over and puts in our names to track the score. But instead of our names he puts, Sunshine and Acting Legend. I burst out laughing. “Your name is a fantasy just like your chances of beating me are.”
He lets out an ohhh. “We’re playing like that are we? Well game on,” he says with mock seriousness. I don’t remember being particularly good at this but I do get competitive. He’ll probably win but it’s still fun playing it up.
Before long we each have one shot left, and he’s winning, of course. But I actually held my own better than I thought. He’s not completely obliterating me, score-wise. Soon it’s over; he’s the winner. He gloats a tiny bit as he comes over to my seat.
Eli leans down with his arms on either side of the chair.
“So what’s my prize for winning?” He says it playfully but there’s a heat in his dark eyes.
And that’s when my body chooses to perfume.
His brown eyes dilate slightly as he takes in my scent.
We’re suspended in this moment—until the group of teenagers next to us cheer loudly, breaking the spell.
He pulls away reluctantly and I search my bag for my travel size descenter. I reapply quickly.
Eli watches as I spray it over myself. “You don’t have to hide who you are with that.” He gestures to the spray.
“It’s just easier that way. Omegas stick out, just better if I blend in and not risk anyone noticing me.”
“It’d be impossible for someone to not notice you.
Even without your scent, you shine in any room you’re in.
When we first met before I scented you, I thought you were the most beautiful woman I had seen.
I was actually conflicted you were moving into our rental since I wasn’t sure if that’d be super creepy if I wanted to ask you out. ”
“It definitely would’ve been creepy,” I say with a teasing laugh.
Since our first game is over, we start walking towards the food area.
The teenagers that were next to us are getting a little rowdier.
As we walk past them, I turn my head to see what’s going on, a flash goes off, indicating that someone took a picture.
Was I in the background, and if they post it will he be able to find me?
No that’d be crazy. Suddenly it feels like every pair of eyes in the building are on me.
I’m frozen. Eli walks on and within a couple steps, notices I’m no longer next to him.
Looking back, his face goes from a slightly confused expression to concern and…
fear? I don’t know what he sees when he looks at me but it has him rushing towards me.
I need to get out of here, my chest feels tight.
Seeing so many people around me is adding to my panic.
Eli’s hand is on my back guiding me somewhere. I don’t really know. The noise of the bowling alley fades as we come to a stop. “Thea? Can you hear me? What’s wrong?” he asks, panicking.
I can’t speak. Everything feels locked up in fear.
I shake my head before realizing he probably thinks I said no to not being able to hear him.
Maybe his scent will help. I move as much as I can and nuzzle into his chest, taking in his scent.
His heart is beating almost as fast as mine.
I wish I could speak. I’ve never felt so trapped in my own skin before.
I’ve had some panic attacks over the last year but nothing like this.
His arms wrap around me and we end up siting together on the floor. After who knows how long I take a deep breath, and it feels like I’m breathing for the first time in years. I peer up at him, noticing how scared he looks. I feel awful for doing that to him.
“It’s okay, we’re alone and don’t need to leave until you’re ready.” He says as his hand makes soothing motions along my back.
I swallow, hoping my voice will come out. “I’m sorry.” Well, that came out more like a croak. Water is probably needed but I don’t want to leave our position.
His brows furrow, lips pinched together. “Listen to me, you do not apologize for feeling whatever you’re feeling and having a panic attack.”
“But…I scared you.”
“Damn right you did. When I saw you standing there you looked like you were about to pass out. You didn’t react to anything I said, just had this panicked look.”